Complete mitogenome of Treron sphenurus (Aves, Columbiformes): the first representative from the genus Treron, genomic comparisons and phylogenetic analysis of Columbidae.

The wedge-tailed green pigeon (Treron sphenurus) has a protective value in the evolution of the family Columbidae. In this study, the complete mitogenome of T. sphenurus from Baise City, China, which represents the first sequenced species of the genus Treron in Tribe Treronini, is reported. This was accomplished using PCR-based methods and a primer-walking sequencing strategy with genus-specific primers. The mitogenome was found to be 18,919 bp in length comprising 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and one control region. In terms of structure and composition, many similarities were found between the T. sphenurus and Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae (New Zealand pigeon) mitogenomes. This was further supported by phylogenetic analysis showing that T. sphenurus has a close evolutionary relationship with H. novaeseelandiae. The complete mitogenome of T. sphenurus reported here is expected to provide valuable molecular information for further studies on the phylogeny of the genus Treron and for analyses of the taxonomic status of the family Columbidae.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus (Passeriformes, Dicruridae).

The Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) is an important beneficial bird widespread in China and other Asian countries. In this study, a complete mitochondrial genome of D. macrocercus has been obtained by polymerase chain reaction method for the first time. This circular molecule is 17,017 bp in length with A + T contents of 56.9% and contains 2 rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and 22 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis shows that D. macrocercus is genetically closest to D. hottentottus.

Mitochondrial genome of the critically endangered Baer's Pochard, Aythya baeri, and its phylogenetic relationship with other Anatidae species.

Historically, the diving duck, Baer's Pochard (Aythya baeri) was widely distributed in East and South Asia, but according to a recent estimate, its global population is now less than 1000 individuals. To date, the mitochondrial genome of A. baeri has not been deposited and is not available in GenBank. Therefore, we aimed to sequence the complete mitochondrial genome of this species. The genome was 16,623 bp in length, double stranded, circular in shape, and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and one non-coding control region. Many structural and compositional similarities were discovered between A. baeri and the other three Aythya mitochondrial genomes. Among 13 protein-coding genes of the four Aythya species, the fastest-evolving gene was ATP8 while the slowest-evolving gene was COII. Furthermore, the phylogenetic tree of Anatidae based on Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods showed that the relationships among 15 genera of the Anatidae family were as follows: Dendrocygna was an early diverging lineage that was fairly distant from the other ingroup taxa; Cygnus, Branta, and Anser were clustered into one branch that corresponded to the Anserinae subfamily; and Aythya, Asarcornis, Netta, Anas, Mareca, Mergus, Lophodytes, Bucephala, Tadorna, Cairina, and Aix were clustered into another branch that corresponded to the Anatinae subfamily. Our target species and three other Aythya species formed a monophyletic group. These results provide new mitogenomic information to support further phylogenetic and taxonomic studies and genetic conservation of Anatidae species.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Centropus bengalensis (Lesser Coucal).

We first reported the mitochondrial genome of Centropus bengalensis. The mitogenome of C. bengalensis contains 17,117 base pairs. The overall base composition of complete mitogenome is 28.15% A, 27.95% T, 21.86% C, and 22.04% G, with 43.90% of the GC content. All genes exhibit the typical mitochondrial gene arrangement and transcribing directions. Phylogenetic analysis of 4 Centropus species was performed based on the sequence of cytochrome b gene using the neighbor-joining method and the Kimura 2-parameter model in MEGA 7.0.